Whitehaven Switch over complete, BBC NAO report

Arqiva has confirm that the second stage of the UK Digital Switch Over in Whitehaven, Cumbria, has been a technical success.

Following removal of the BBC Two analogue signal on 17th October, analogue signals for the remaining channels, BBC One, ITV1 and Channel 4, have now been switched off. All three Public Service Broadcast multiplexes are now being transmitted via high-power digital TV signals from three relay sites at Whitehaven, Eskdale Green and Gosforth.

Meanwhile, the BBC Trust has published an independent review it had commissioned from the National Audit Office (NAO): The BBC’s Preparedness for Digital Switchover, which looks in particular at how the BBC plans to meet its obligations set out under the Royal Charter and Agreement.

Jeremy Peat, BBC Trustee, said: “The Trust accepts the report’s conclusions and has discussed the NAO’s findings and recommendations with the BBC Executive. The Trust is content that the BBC management team’s proposed actions are an appropriate response and endorses them. Furthermore, the Trust will continue to scrutinise the BBC’s preparations for digital switchover and will commission a review of the Digital Switchover Help Scheme around 2009 to monitor the operational value for money of the scheme.”